Under warm spring sunshine in Inari, the Finnish Championships concluded with demanding long-distance races that tested endurance, tactics and resilience on a tough course.

The Finnish National Championships in Inari concluded with the traditional long-distance races, as the men tackled 50 kilometers and the women 30 kilometers in classic technique. Under warm, sunny skies, the final day of competition became a true test of endurance. The challenging course, already known for its demanding profile, grew even tougher as the soft spring conditions wore down both tracks and athletes, turning the races into battles of pacing, strength and resilience. he day also carried added significance, as four well-known skiers — Krista Pärmäkoski, Katri Lylynperä, Perttu Hyvärinen and Markus Vuorela — competed in the final races of their careers.

Ståhlberg back at his best in the men’s race

In the men’s 50 km, Alexander Ståhlberg delivered a commanding performance to take the national title. His victory margin over the rest of the field reflected both control and confidence, marking a clear return to top form after a period away from his best.

After the finish, Ståhlberg summed up the effort with characteristic honesty: the race was hard, he was left with a pounding headache and a feeling of nausea. He noted that the pace was high from the start but controlled, and that he found a better rhythm on the third lap — a turning point that ultimately secured his victory. Looking ahead, he emphasized that his goal remains to reach the very top of the world level.

Behind him, Miro Karppanen, last year’s winner, skied a strong and consistent race but had to settle for second place this time. Karppanen’s performance was particularly impressive considering he had raced all three events of Lapponia Ski Week leading into the championships, and he admitted being surprised himself that he was still able to perform at such a high level.

The fight for bronze remained tight deep into the race, with Lauri Mannila securing third after holding off late challengers.

Mannila’s podium was particularly notable as he represents Team Edux on the Ski Classics circuit, highlighting the growing crossover strength between long-distance specialists and traditional championship racing. After the race, Mannila emphasized that his move into long-distance skiing and Ski Classics has been the best decision of his career, adding that he was very satisfied not only with the race in Inari but with his entire season.

Read also: Niskanen and Niemelä crowned champions in Inari as Finnish Nationals open in style

Men’s top six

1. Alexander Ståhlberg – 2.24.42,8
2. Miro Karppanen – +46,4
3. Lauri Mannila – +1.06,6
4. Emil Liekari – +1.15,5
5. Ville Ahonen – +1.19,0
6. Anton Kemppi – +1.32,0

The day also marked a moment of transition, as Perttu Hyvärinen and Markus Vuorela both competed in the final races of their careers, bringing to a close long tenures on the national team and marking the end of an era in Finnish cross-country skiing.

A true Ski Classics effort as Holmström double poles to 46th place

An interesting subplot in the men’s race came from Isac Holmström, Mannila’s teammate at Team Edux. Staying true to Ski Classics style, Holmström completed the entire 50-kilometer race using only double poling — a demanding choice on a course with significant climbs and soft spring conditions.

He ultimately finished 46th, underlining both the difficulty of the course and the physical demands of double poling over such a long distance in championship terrain.

Article continues below

Top 3 in the women’s race: Oona Kettunen (left), Johanna Matintalo (middle) and Emmi Lämsä (right). Photo: Touho Häkkinen

Matintalo in control in the women’s race

In the women’s 30 km, Johanna Matintalo skied a dominant race to claim the national title. From early on, she established a decisive gap and managed both the demanding course and soft conditions with authority.

After the race, Matintalo was visibly emotional when speaking about Krista Pärmäkoski and Katri Lylynperä, both retiring after this season, and their importance to her. She described them as the closest people to her within the national team and admitted that it has not fully sunk in that they will no longer be part of the team next season, emphasizing how important they have been to her career and life.

Matintalo also revealed that she started five minutes behind Pärmäkoski and had quietly set herself the goal of catching her during the race. In the end, she admitted that achieving that meant even more to her than winning the national title. Reflecting on the future, she acknowledged that she is now becoming one of the more experienced athletes in the team and expressed a desire to take on greater responsibility, hoping she can live up to that role in the coming years.

The battle for the remaining medals was more open, with Oona Kettunen taking silver and Emmi Lämsä securing bronze after a steady and controlled effort. Behind the podium, the race remained tightly contested, with small time gaps separating several skiers across the final kilometers.

Women’s top six

1. Johanna Matintalo – 1.23.51,9
2. Oona Kettunen – +1.34,7
3. Emmi Lämsä – +1.47,2
4. Jasmin Kähärä – +2.31,2
5. Rebecca Immonen – +4.05,4
6. Amanda Saari – +4.11,3

The depth of the field in Inari was evident as younger athletes pushed into the top positions on a demanding championship course, while more experienced names had to fight hard to maintain their pace in the soft conditions. The warm weather added another layer of difficulty, making ski selection and energy management crucial factors throughout the race. At the same time, the races carried a strong sense of farewell, as several established names brought their careers to a close, giving the day an emotional undertone alongside the competitive battle.

Read more about this weekends races in Inari and check out the results here.

Both Katri Lylynperä and Krista Pärmäkoski had their last ski race today as the retirement awaits. Photo: Touho Häkkinen